Can-opener



(No Model.)

T. R. & F. K. WAY & J. H. CLARKE.

CAN OPENER.

No. 337,719. Patented Mar. 9, 1886.

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NITE TATES Parana" THOMAS R. lVAY, FRAXK K. IVAY, AND JOSEPH H. CLARKE,OF SPRING-- FIELD,

OHIO.

CAN OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,719, dated March9,1886.

Application filed Xovembtr 3, 1985.

ments in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in can-openers, and the object ofour invention is to provide a suitable and inexpensive de' vice adaptedto open either round or square cans of varying size.

Our invention consists in the construction and combinations of partshereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a deviceembodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the same,showing the manner of its use for cutting round cans. Fig. 3 is an endview, partly in section, showing the manner of its use for cuttingsquare cans. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view showing the manner ofattaching the front cutter.

In the said drawings, A is the frame of the device, on which the variousparts are secured. B is the handle, which is preferably cast in onepiece with the frame andjoins the same at right angles, or nearly so,but turns and projects backward parallel, or substantially so, with theframe A. The frame A is reduced at the front end to form a point, a,which is given a double bend, as shown in Fig. 2, forming a shank, a, onwhich the frame is adapted to turn.

The frame is provided throughout its entire length with longitudinalribs 1) b on either side thereof, and is also provided with a longitudinal slot, 0, located on the under side of the frame, and between theribs Z) Z) is an adjustable cutter, cl, which is secured to the frame bya thumb-screw, d, which projects through the slot 0. The cutterdconsists of a blade of steel bent at an angle at the forward end, asshown in Fig. 2, and adapted at the rear to fit snugly between theribs 1) b, which form guides therefor, so that the said cutter may bemoved at any point of adjustment along the slot 0,

Serial No. 181,784. (Yo model.)

and be securely held by the thumb-screw d against longitudinal movement,the guides b I) holding the same against lateral movement.

At the rear end of the frame, just back of the point where the handle isjoined thereto, we provide a second cutter, 6. consists of a straightblade secured at one end to the frame, and extends downward and forward,forming an acute angle with the said frame. The cutter is pointed at itsforward end, and is preferably secured to the frame by a thumb-screw, c,on which it is adapted to turn as a pivot, so that, when desired, thesaid cutter may be turned up, as indicated by dot ted lines in Fig. 1. Alug, a is provided on the frame to form a shoulder, against which theupper side of the cutter e is adapted to rest at the rear, and thus forma stop for the said cutter when turned down ready for use.

On the rear end of the frame, opposite the cutter e, is a guide, f,adapted to rest against the side of the can when the cutter e is in use,and thus guide the said cutter and keep the same at a uniform distancefrom the edge of the can in the act of cutting.

\Vhen it is desired to open a round can, the cutter cl is adjusted at adistance from the shank a equal to one-half the size of the opening tobe made in the can. The point a is pushed through the can at the center,and the framelaid down in a horizontal position, thus bringing the shanka through the top of the can, as shown in Fig. 2. The cutter dis pushedthrough the can, and, by means of the handle 13, is drawn around the topthereof, describing a circle about the shank a. The handle B, beingextended out some distance from the frame and at an angle thereto, willoccupy a position considerably behind or in front of the cutter, as thecase may be, and will thus afford considerable leverage, by which abetter control over the cutter is secured to the operator, to preventthe said cutter from turning and coming out of the can. The cutter beingplaced at an angle to the frame, it will, as moved around, have atendency to lift and turn up the edge of the piece cut out, so that itcan be readily removed.

In opening a square can the knife or cutter This cutter e k 'eis pushedthrough the side to be opened,with the guide f resting against the sideparallel to which the opening is to extend. By successively pressingdown on the handle B 5 and moving the frame forward the cutter will bebroughtup through the tin, and an opening of any desired length may bethus formed.

If desired, the cutter 6 may be riveted fast to the rear of the frame,instead of having it 10 adjustable, as described.

Having thus described our invention, we claim 1. In a can-opener, aframe having a longitudinal slot therein, a point at one end of said 15frame, and an adjustable cutter in said slot, "said'frame being providedwith a curved handle at right angles to the plane of the cutter, saidhandle being extended at an angle to the frame in the plane in which ittravels and 2c turned back substantially parallel with said frame, asset forth.

2. The combination, with a frame having a point at one end and providedwith the longitudinal slot with an adjustable cutter therein,

2 of the handle B, and the rear knife, e, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with theframe having a point at one end and a curvedhandle at the other, and an adjustable cutter on said frame, of acutter, e, and a guide, f, located at or near the junction of the saidhandle and frame,.substantially as specified.

4. The combination, with the frame and the curved handle joined thereto,of the pivoted cutter 0, stop 6 and guide f, located at or near thejunction of said handle and frame, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the frame pro- 7 vided with the longitudinalribs and slot, an adjustable cutter located between said ribs, thepivoted cutter e, guide f, and angular handle B, substantially assetforth.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 31st dayofOctober, A. D. 1885.

THOMAS R. WAY. FRANK K. WAY. JOSEPH H. CLARKE.

' Witnesses:

F. WILLIs BAINES, Or-msn STEWART.

